Hello, my first post; looks like a great selection of fourms. A friend of my wife just gave me her Winchester model 1200 shotgun (a good firend to have!). It's a 12 ga. pump,chambered for 2 3/4" shells, has the winchoke choke tubes, and a 28" barrel. I don't know much about these guns (I shoot a Wingmaster), but a fellow duck hunter told me that some model 1200s were not able to shoot steel shot. Anyone know if there is validity to this, and if I could tell the approximate age of the gun? Thanks in adavance,
Cliff
Hi guy Welcome to Gun and Game ! I hate to tell you but steel shot over time will ruin the barrel of the model 12. I own 4 shotguns and only one will handle steel shot.
Cfeldheim there will be other members along to better explain why this is so please keep checking back.
Again welcome aboard and have a good time, looking forward to hearing alot from you. A.H
Hello and welcome to the forum. The Winchester 1200 is the forrunner of the Mod 1300 and is an excellent shotgun. I have one in 12, 20, and 16 gauges.
the Mod 1300 barrels will fit the 1200 so it makes it a very versitile weapon. I have the slug barrel and the 30" trap barrel along with the winchoke barrel. I don't know the exaxt age of the gun, some one here should be able to help you with that.
Welcome to G&G Cliff.
The model 1200 Shotgun was Mfg. from 1964-1981 so the serial # would determine what year. They Are NOT made to shoot Steel Shot ! However, you can shoot the Bismuth or Zinc or tungsten shot without a problem, supposedly. I personally would not with the choke system you have...Stick with lead shot where legal and for Clays.
Rich
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[I]You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!:( [/I]
Cliff, I just read your question. I have two 1200s I purchased in 70 while in Japan. BOTH of my 1200s are stamped "Proof Steel" on the barrels. I have shot steel shot many times while duck hunting with no problems. Check your barrel. I love my 1200 and like the other pump I have (870) it never lets me down and has taken a good number of ducks. Jackflash
You can count on someone thats "been there,done that". truth,steel shot will eat any choke,perminate or screw in.But I know someone will say it didn't on theirs.I wonder how many times they shot it and if they ever meisured it. sam.
Well, I'm not going to start an argument with anyone, BUT....I purchased my 1200 in 1966, shot tons of lead throught it, AND steel, and it's as fresh as the day I bought it, barrel-wise that is.I believe years ago Remington, with the power-piston wad, said that the power-piston protected the barrel from the steel..And I fully realize that steel is harder than lead, and I'm sure if you put enough steel through it, eventually some damage will occur, but exactly is how much?
Get the calipers out and meisure it.Full-.694",mod-.710", Imp.cyl.-.720", cyl.bore-.729". I would be intrested in your findings and possibly an estimate on how many steels you shot through it.It is a non ending topic and very intresting to me.As to an argument,I believe this is a prefect example of a discussion. sam.
Most Knowledgeable Gunsmiths will tell you..."The steel shot does not compress like lead and will eventually score the barrel and finally weaken it to the point of splitting, especially with a full choke."
Several Model 12 Winchesters with Proof Steel have split the barrels...
Just because you can shoot steel shot for a while does NOT mean you should... Unless you are willing to chance ruining your barrel...
Bismuth shot is a safe alternative to steel in older shotguns.
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[I]You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!:( [/I]
i was given a 1200 when i was 12 or so,it took me untill i was in my 30's to completely, totally wear it out,i got another one and it lasted 5 more years then i got a 1300 i shot it so much the stock broke and the modified choke became part of the bbl., i then went to a superx2 and it made it 5 years so i got another one.
each of the guns i flat wore out by firing well[well] over 20,000 rounds through.
in this time i also wore out a franchi two bbl'd set trap gun, a browning bt-99 trap gun,a model 50 win and a browning gold hunter.
plus two remingtons that didn't last through a duck season and a franchi that made it 5 days.
so it is possible to wear out a gun shooting lead through it also.
if you use the smaller sizes of steel shot #2 on down and the modified choke
the 1200 will shoot for your average persons lifetime.
man, i would like to have all that shot back it would easily fill my garage.
Get the calipers out and meisure it.Full-.694",mod-.710", Imp.cyl.-.720", cyl.bore-.729". I would be intrested in your findings and possibly an estimate on how many steels you shot through it.It is a non ending topic and very intresting to me.As to an argument,I believe this is a prefect example of a discussion. sam.
If I can rustle up some calipers Sam, I will measure the muzzle. It would be intersting to see if not for anything else.. This 1200 was my only shotgun for a long time, and to date I only have one other one; a .410 SXS. And Mooseman, of course you are right. I'm sure if I shot 100 rounds through it evryday for years it's going to break eventually. I guess no one knows exactly what that point in time will be..
